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Iran's Islamic Republic Guard Corps navy took credit for strikes on two vessels in Strait of Hormuz Wednesday (March 11) morning in a statement obtained by ABC News.
The IRGC public relations said the "Express Room" and "Mayuree Naree" were targeted by fire from Iranian combatants "after ignoring alerts and warnings from the IRGC Navy" in the statement. IRCG naval commander Adm. Alireza Tangsiri also shared a post on X claiming "every vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran."
"Were ships assured for passage through #Strait_of_Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the ships 'Express Room' and 'Mayuree Naree,' who today, trusting in empty promises, ignored the warnings and intended to cross the strait but got caught. Every vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from #Iran," he wrote.
The confirmation came after Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced it had launched its "most intense and heaviest operation" since the United States and Israel's 'Operation Epic Fury' overnight in a statement to Iranian state media via ABC News. The attacks, which were confirmed to be aimed at U.S. and Israeli targets, included an estimated three hours of missile launches, specifically the firing of "Khorramshahr," a medium-range ballistic missile, according to state media.
"We continue to carry out our continuous attacks with purpose and power, and in the continuation of the war, we only think about the complete surrender of the enemy," the IRGC told Iranian state media via ABC News. "We will end the war when the shadow of war is lifted from the country."
The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement on its social media accounts overnight confirming it had detected launches from Iran toward Israel and confirmed it was working to destroy the missiles.
"The IDF has identified that a short while ago, missiles were launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defense systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the last few minutes, the Home Front Command has issued a preliminary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas," the IDF said.
Both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain Ministries of Defense issued warnings early Wednesday (March 11) regarding potential threats, with sirens sounding in Bahrain, according to its Ministry of Interior's X account.
"MOD asserts that the sounds heard are the result of the Air Defence Systems intercepting missiles and drones," UAE's Ministry of Defense said on its X account.